Monthly Archives: July 2014

Canvas of the Heart is a heartwarming romantic novel about a young woman named Lindsey who has cerebral palsy and about her daily life dealing with CP.

Canvas of the Heart is romantic novel about a young woman with cerebral palsy, and how she rises above the term disability’ through her relationship with friends, family, and above all, the man who becomes her husband.

Funny, sexy and inspirational, the book focuses on Lindsey’s insights, struggles and triumphs by teaching us that those with disabilities can also lead rich, full lives.

Sitting in my room reading a science fiction book I’d just bought from the local bookstore, I was excited by the job offer I had received from the store manager who wanted to replace an assistant who had just quit that morning. He had spotted me browsing the shelves, and as I was practically a daily visitor, he’d approached me. It was perfect timing, since I’d recently graduated from high school and was looking for a way to pass the time.
I was eager to tell my best friend and neighbor, Becky, about the job. She came over almost every day to hang out with me after work. Her family had moved in next door a few months ago, but while I saw her frequently, it took me a while to warm up to her. I’d always been a shy and awkward person, which was the main reason I had no close friends. Too often, experience had taught me that getting close to people never ended well, and I’d spent enough time getting hurt.
Becky seemed to accept me as I was and saw me as person rather than a person with a disability. We started chatting more and more often. Gradually I came to trust her, and we’d known each other for more than two months before she asked why I was in a wheelchair. I told her that I had a disability called cerebral palsy, but a less severe version, which was a mix between spastic and ataxic forms. In my case, the part of the brain that controlled the ability to walk wasn’t functioning.
A knock at the door distracted me. “Come in,” I said.
“Hey,” Becky said, sending me a smile as she poked her head through the door.
“Hi,” I said, closing my book. Becky was a cute redhead with creamy skin and a dusting of freckles across her nose. She had an outgoing personality and a warm smile. I was always comfortable in her presence.
“How did it go today?” she asked, sitting on the bed beside me.
“Great!” I grinned broadly. “I got a job.”
“Let me guess,” she said. “The bookstore?”
“I start tomorrow.”
“That’s great!” Becky hugged me. “I’m so happy for you. You love books, so you’ll be perfect for the job.”
“Well, the pay isn’t much, but it will at least give me some pocket-money.”
“Hey, it’s a start,” Becky said.
“How was your day?” I asked. Becky’s job at a music store was always a source of entertaining stories.
“Same old,” she said. “I just wanted to come over and check up on you before I get going. I have a date tonight with Jason, that hot guy I told you about.”
“Have a good time,” I said as she gave me a quick hug and left. “Let me know what happens,” I called after her.

BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON ON JULY 22, 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26465908-melissa-taggart

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canvas-of-the-Heart/501435103299498

http://www.devinedestinies.com/melissa-taggart/canvas-of-the-heart/

Georgia native Melissa Taggart is a believer in tackling challenges. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of three months, as a child she discovered that writing offered her a way to deal with a speech impediment. It not only paved the way for better communication, but she transformed a challenge into the voice of a writer eager to teach the world that people with disabilities are people with the same lives, loves and longings as anyone else.

Through Melissa’s amusing, insightful and touching stories, she addresses issues and common misconceptions in a way that will open the eyes and hearts of readers everywhere. Her goal is to deliver her special message with humor and candidness, as well as bring greater awareness about the real world of the disabled.

When Melissa is not busy creating the universe of Lindsey, Jason and Max, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also volunteers part-time in a first grade classroom helping the kids with worksheets and games and other activities.

My name is Sawyer Crown, I own Bloodlines Tattoo Parlor, despise drama, and have a penchant for broken women. It’s a habit I intend to kick.

The arrangement had been simple. Clara and I sleep together if and when we wanted too. We were always best friends first. We raised Allie together with love. Four years into it did people assume we were married- yes. Did people assume I was Allie’s father- sure. Did I love every second of that- most definitely.

Then my world exploded. Clara left me. Moved on. I’m supposed to too. I just haven’t figured the moving on part out quite yet. The heart wants what it wants right? Or maybe the mind wants what it wants for the heart. All of those scenarios are bullshit though. Clara went for the gold. She carved out the happiness she needed, wanted.

Now it’s my turn.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20554154-resistance

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K LARSEN- BLOODLINES SERIES INFORMATION

ALL BLOODLINES SERIES BOOKS CAN BE READ AS STANDALONES

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OBJECTIVE (Bloodlines #2)

SYNOPSIS

My story started out cliché, good girl falls for bad boy, but one wrong move changed all that. Turns out the good girl doesn’t save the bad boy. My story goes from cliché to risqué to mind-blowing. My story is different from all the others because the events of my story led me to one thing…my objective.

Remembering him comes in dreams and flashbacks that I can’t control. I tell myself it’s time to let go…but moving on from him is impossible when I still see our lives in my head.

When you kill your soul mate you don’t ever really recover.

A year of trying to forget or rather move past it has taught me that you can’t. It’s an impossibility to move on from that kind of horrific form of betrayal. If you you’re too selfish or scared for suicide, like me, you learn to wake up every morning and follow routine. One foot in front of the other, day after day.

Hollow. Lifeless. Haunted. Loving him was like the sun on a summer day. Living without him is like slowly burning to death. Torture.

A Bloodlines Novel.

*Note Tug of War is the 1st in the Bloodlines books, each book can be read as a standalone book.*

” This story deserves 5 stars, if not more, and I cant wait to get my hands on the next book by Ms. Larsen.”-This Redhead LOVES Books Blog

“Myyyy godddd. This book is everything I love wrapped up in one amazing little package. It’s got suspense, mystery, and some super crazy twists. It was one of the hardest books to put down that I’ve read in a LONG time.” – I’ll Be Reading Book Blog

“Wow, one of my favorites this year. A real page turner ….” -Magic Within The Pages Book Blog

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MEET THE AUTHOR

I have a weird addiction to goat cheese and chocolate martinis, not together though.

I adore my dog. He is the most awesome snuggledoo in the history of dogs.

Seriously.

I hate dirty dishes.

I like sarcasm and funny people.

I should probably be running right now… because of the goat cheese….and stuff.

I’ve been told I’m the mistress of Snark. I like that.

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/K.LarsenAuthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/klarsen_author

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6871141.K_Larsen

Website

http://ferrarik.wix.com/klarsen

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TUG OF WAR (Bloodlines #1)

Impulsive, YES. Irresponsible, SURE. Necessary, PROBABLY. Going to end badly, most likely. Does any of that matter to me, no. I decided that I can’t please everyone so this week my only goal is to please me. I’m a selfish cow but I can’t seem to help it. I’m Clara Lord. I own Bloodline’s Tattoo Parlor, have a filthy mouth, no filter and a really strong objection to bossy idiots, pet names and wealthy men.

You will hate me, love me or love to hate me but either way it doesn’t matter. Everything I touch turns to crap and it’s all my fault. See, I lived through hell. Then I escaped hell and carefully spent the next eight years crafting a perfect little life until Domini Napoli screwed it all up. Now nothings right. Everything’s wrong and all my secrets are coming out.

My first kill was at sixteen. One might think that’s young but I’d been trained for two years before I was allowed to execute a human target on my own. I won’t ever forget him. Jackson Manning was testifying in a human trafficking case and someone didn’t want him to be heard. I’d been sloppy and careless, but excited and if I’m honest, a little turned on too. I’d found myself rather curious staring at his unmoving body. I’d been scolded for my carelessness but it didn’t matter. I’d had a taste of the real thing and I thirsted for more. My desire, my obsession took on a new form that day. It wasn’t a goal I was working towards anymore, it was tangible now.

It is my life.

I am an assassin. I don’t know my targets or why they’re targeted. I am commissioned to kill without question and I am paid grandly for the service I provide. I get a text with a name and an address. I watch them. I wait. I become who I need to be. I seduce them if necessary to get close enough to execute.

I love my job, or loved my job. Everything changed when I was assigned: ATF Agent Bentley James, last known location Christiansburg, VA.

CAGE by Harper Sloan
Greg Cage was born to protect. For the last decade, he has carried the guilt of his sister’s death and need for vengeance around… until it was stripped from him. All he has ever known was how to protect: his family, his friends, and his country. Can he go against everything he has ever known, and give up that control?

Melissa Larson has been the rock in her family for more years than she can remember, and the fight to keep them together is her main priority. She has always been fiercely independent and proud, never asking for help. When that choice is out of her control, will she be able to let someone else be her strength?

With unexpected events at every turn and fate wrecking more havoc on another member of the Corps family, Greg and Melissa learn just how powerful their love can be.

UNTIL NOVEMBER by Aurora Rose Reynolds
November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the Big Apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, she starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November, fate has other plans.

Asher has never had a problem getting a woman, that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.

BROKEN HART by Ella Fox
Sabrina Tyler is head over heels in love with her boss and best friend, Dante Hart. She thinks that he has no romantic interest in her but she’s wrong. Dante doesn’t believe in love or commitment or any kind. Sabrina has gotten under his skin, but Dante has no intention of acting on it.

One wild night changes their relationship forever, but Dante lacks faith in love and doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Can Sabrina break through and fix what’s broken in Dante Hart?

INCINERATE by Tessa Teevan
When Knox Wellington opens the door to Charlie Davenport, he’s not expecting the fiery brunette with whiskey colored eyes and a feisty personality. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the chip on Knox’s shoulder threatens to destroy any hope of him wooing the sweet, southern volunteer sent to help with his rehabilitation. Little does he know she’s no Southern Belle, as she gives as good as she can take. As unexpected circumstances push them closer together, heads butt, patience is tested, and flames ignite as they dance around their mutual attraction, both of them jaded from broken pasts.

They’ve both been burned before, so when their feelings of lust, desire, and wanting are inflamed in the heat of the moment, will they finally be able to get over the pain of the past or will their relationship be reduced to ashes before it can ever really begin?

PUSH THE ENVELOPE by Rochelle Paige
Alexa is your average college junior, attending classes and piloting Mile High Club charter flights. Boys haven’t been on her radar for a couple of years after a disastrous breakup with her high school sweetheart. Drake transferred to Blythe College for the rugby team, not for a new assortment of college girls. When he meets Alexa, Drake knows he’s met his match. She tries to resist him, but he isn’t used to taking no for an answer.

BROKEN by K Webster
Life is perfect for Andi until her entire world is crushed in an instant and she is left broken. Forced to pick up the pieces of her heart, she chooses to abide by a set of rules that prohibit her from getting hurt again. When Jackson enters the picture, he wants to play her game. What happens when things get complicated and hearts actually do get involved? Will they move on or will they break the rules?

Three months ago, my twin sister, Georgia, and I had to die so our loved ones would be safe from the scientists hunting us. After months of searching, we’re close to finding the one person who can help us find closure, Georgia’s adoptive mother, Lois.

Snowstorms and an unexpected run-in with GenCorp, the latest entity charged with capturing us, delay our mission and break our spirits. The only light in my supernaturally chaotic life is Nate. He’s given up everything to protect and take care of me, and each minute I’m with him confirms how much I love him. Finally ready to share my heart again, I take the next step, admitting my true feelings.

The mad scientists who want to tear me apart and use my body for a freak show, once again taint my happiness with a disturbing technology that rips Nate from my arms. As I battle GenCorp’s warped technology to save my soul mate, I’m faced with the vivid reality: the Nate I knew and fell in love with may be lost forever.

And if I get him back, will I still be able to say those three precious words?

Originally from Minnesota, Lynn Rush currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband and her lovable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Rush holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training for her next endurance event.
Connect with Lynn on Twitter, through Facebook or her website. Lynn also writes as Reese Monroe and you can find her alter ego here http://reesemonroe.net/

Title: Hourglass

Authors: K.S. Smith & Megan C. Smith

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Best friends since birth, Brooke Reid and Savannah Prescott, spend their days working together at top fashion magazine Hourglass, while enjoying all that the Denver nightlife has to offer – but sharing a man – no way.

One of Denver’s most eligible bachelors, Luke Wellington, can have any woman he wants and he knows it. Putting his player skills to the test, he destroys a friendship and makes two women fall in love with him as he sits back and enjoys the best of both worlds.

Brooke Reid is a woman looking for her happily ever after, and the day she literally ran in to him, she thought she’d found it. Charming, charismatic, a true gentleman – what more could she ask for? Things are going perfectly until her best friend struts in the elevator and claimed his lips right in front of her.

Savannah Prescott is interested in one thing, having a good time with every single man Denver has to offer. Being tied down is too much of a bore for her free-spirited ways. Or so she thinks, but when her best friend starts dating her Friday night fling, she realizes she may be ready to turn in her game card and settle down into a real relationship.

When both girls come to the realization that they are after the same man, it means all-out war. Best friends until the end, or at least until him.

AMAZON B&N iBooks SMASHWORDS

K.S. Smith

K.S. Smith is an aspiring new contemporary romance author. When she is not writing you will most likely find her tanning on the beautiful Florida beaches, spending time with her family and friends or dedicating her time to the military through her favorite non-profit organization.

K.S. Smith was born and raised in Tampa, FL and continues to build her life there in her new home with her boyfriend of ten years who will hopefully one day put all book boyfriends to shame with an out of this world proposal.

Megan C. Smith

Megan Smith was born and raised in beautiful Tampa, Florida where she spent her days falling in love with fictional characters from a very young age.

After marrying her best friend she relocated to North Carolina to support her husband’s career as a U.S. Marine. During her time in North Carolina Megan was blessed with 3 beautiful children who have kept her constantly busy chasing after them and enjoying the daily routine of motherhood.

Most recently Megan and her family have relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where she has spent the past few months achieving her lifelong dream of publishing her very first novel; as well as continuing to submerge herself in some of her favorite books while appreciating a glass of wine and her favorite, salted pretzel Milanos.

Four years have passed since I left home, my parents, and my brother Asher behind – since I shut out my past.
And Erin. Four years since I last saw her, since I heard her voice and held her in my arms. I’ve spent my time forging a path from woman to woman, from bed to bed; trying to find an answer. But I think I’ve lost my way. There’s no light at the end of the dark.
No big surprise. I carry the dark inside me. I’m a bastard – branded as such from the start. I never give my phone number and address; I take my pleasure and don’t come back for seconds. No commitments; no promises and no happy endings. Yeah, I’m a bastard down to the bone and I don’t give a damn.
But now I’m back in my birth town, the town I fled at eighteen – back to make amends to the brother I abandoned and watch from afar the only girl I’ve ever wanted. Hope isn’t a currency I can afford; I learned that lesson long ago.
Yet when she looks at me and says my name, I can’t help but hope.

This is book 2 in the Inked Brotherhood series which started with Asher. It is a stand-alone work. No cliffhanger.

The expected publication date is end July 2014, on all of your favorite e-book websites.

EXCERPT

I want to bang my fist on his chest and slap his face. My fingers curl against the soft fabric of his T-shirt, and I feel his muscles clench underneath.

“Screw you,” I whisper and I hope my voice won’t break and betray me. “That’s all you have to say to me? I’m not going to—”

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.

Shocked into silence, I stare at him. His gaze is moving over my body, a hot, silky glide that steals my breath. His pupils are dilated, making his eyes look black.

I try again. “After all this time, I just want to know—”

His hand hooks around my back, pressing me to his body, and he bends his head toward me, dark hair falling in his eyes. His mouth descends on mine, sealing the words inside.

The world falls away with a murmur as he kisses me. I gasp and his tongue pushes inside, tangling with mine. He licks at my mouth, and he tastes so good – like dark chocolate and pepper. Familiar. Thrilling. Sexy.

I want more. I slide my arms around his hips and kiss him back. His chest vibrates against me as he moans and then he drags me closer, until my breasts are crushed against his firm abs.

A tiny voice in the back of my mind is screeching in protest – this shouldn’t be happening, we should be talking, explaining, finishing this off – but it’s drowned in the rushing of blood in my ears, the thundering beat of my heart. His smell, his taste, the feel of his muscular body, it all sends waves of scalding heat over my skin, through me, tightening the tips of my breasts, starting a pulse between my legs. I cling to him as I burn from the inside out; I desperately need him – need to feel him around me, against me, inside me. Everywhere where he’s been missing for so long.

His hands move down to the small of my back, then lower, lifting my skirt. He swallows my moan of protest and slips a hand round the front, inside my panties. I gasp as his callused fingers touch me, slide inside me.

AUTHOR BIO

Jo Raven writes New Adult erotic contemporary romance. She loves sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines, and divides her time between writing and reading. When not cooking up plots, she putters in her cluttered kitchen and dreams of traveling to India and Japan.

Lacey Russell has had enough heartbreak and loss for one lifetime. Turning tragedy into motivation, she becomes a veterinarian to honor her mother’s memory. She knows the path her life is on and she decided long ago that falling in love is not part of that plan. She’s seen firsthand that all it does is cause sorrow and pain. Brantley Tucker is the heir to Tucker Ranch, the most well-known ranch in all of Nashville. Much to the dismay of his parents, he doesn’t want it. It’s always been his dream to model, and he’s worked hard to achieve success. All he wants is to be supported and loved, but he wonders if that will ever happen for him. After many chance encounters throw Lacey and Brant together, it feels like something bigger than them is at work. When Lacey gets news that shatters her entire world, can she accept the support and love that Brant offers, or will the fear of the unknown make her turn down the chance at finding her forever?

Like this:

Broken Road – Book 2 in the Breaking Black Series and the sequel to Black Horse

It is
often said that time heals all wounds. It is spoken like a promise… a vow.
These words are repeated to people who have been beaten down to their lowest
state. To the poor souls who have nothing left to lose. Whispered into the ear
of a grieving daughter, told with a shrug to a man who has nothing left to live
for.

These are
dangerous people.

The
down-trodden.

The grieving.

The ones
who love more people dead than alive.

The words
should never be uttered. Not to the ones who have no solid ground on which to
stand upon, no rail in which to clasp. The white-knuckled moments of life have
come to be expected rather than feared.

“Time heals all wounds.”

The words
are an insult. A slap in the face… and around here, they’ll get you hurt. For
Averi McClain and her husband Colt, there were few deeper insults.

If time
could heal all wounds, Jessa McClain would be proud to know that she was going
to be a grandmother. Nathan Ford would have proudly walked his little girl down
the aisle with Corinne beaming from her seat. Sitting by her side, Anna McCord
would wipe a tear from her eye. Standing proudly by Colt and Randy at the
arbor, Seth would have stood as a groomsman for his childhood friend. That is,
if time truly healed all wounds.

But what
about the hurts you cannot see? The deep gashes and the mangled hearts that
remain after the brutality of a war. Their childhood was a battlefield. Colt
and Averi didn’t want that for their own sons and daughters.

What does
time to do wounds? Time is nothing but a reminder of how much time has past
since you last saw the ones you love most. The line is bullshit. A scape goat.
A cheap cop out. It is something people say when they don’t know what to say.
It’s not deep or sympathetic. It doesn’t stop the heart from bleeding. Colt
would not have a granite wall built around his heart like a fortress. A barrier
which only Averi could crack.

Randy’s
soul would not quake with anger every time he heard mention of Black Horse, his
roving band of lunatics, also known as the Seventy Devils, or Jimmy Hearns. You
can’t even say the name Trent Myers to him without his sanity flickering out of
sight. Tim wouldn’t have to fight his anger out at the gym for several hours,
five days a week. Shelly’s sense of security would be intact and undisturbed.
Averi’s legs would not be permanently scarred with evidence of Black Horse’s
fiery insanity.

Time doesn’t
heal all wounds. Wounds fester. Sometimes the strain and exertion of trying to

get
better puts so much stress on the wound that the scab rips open, stitches and
scar tissue be damned.

Some
wounds cannot be mended.

Some
lines are just begging to be crossed.

Some
roads are meant to be broken.

As one of
Averi’s favorite bands so poignantly croons, “God blessed the broken road
that led me straight to you.” In the case of Colt and Averi, no song
lyrics could more perfectly describe the road that they have traveled. They
have a love like no other, acting as a guiding light, a beacon in a world turned
dark by Black Horse. What would you do if the the one man you couldn’t live
without, was the son of the bastard that murdered your parents and your eldest
brother? In the case of Averi Ford, she knew Colt was nothing like his father.
He had spent his entire life running from his shadow. He had always been the
one to protect Averi, even more-so than her ever watchful brothers. You can’t
turn away from a love like that.

Theirs
was a love that was intensified by pain and longing, desperation and heartache.
They faced seemingly insurmountable odds, and continue to do so, side by side.
She needed him, not to be her hero, but as her equal and her friend until the
end of their days. He needed her, not only physically, but spiritually,
emotionally, he had wrapped all his hope in her. His humanity relied on her
happiness. If her heart ceased to beat, he would let the darkness overcome him.
He wouldn’t stop until every single member of the Seventy Devils were dead.

Lord
knows Randy and Tim would fight right alongside him. Averi was as essential to
Colt as oxygen. Without her, the Colt that she knew and loved would cease to
exist. They loved each other despite the odds they faced; in spite of those who
said they shouldn’t. Averi loved him regardless of his family history, of the
stares and gossip, the upturned noses and blatant hostility. When Colt McClain
walks into a room, the citizens of Oakely don’t see him. They don’t see his
face or his kind soul. They don’t see him at all. They see Black Horse – the
man he so closely resembles, but whose hearts are night and day. There is a key
difference. There is a gentle warmth to Colt’s gaze. A calm depth that if you
look deep enough, you can see all the good in him. Look into Black Horse’s eyes
and you’ll see your own demise. When people look Colt’s way, they see a
murderer, a thief, a snake. They see a man with no soul. But Colt never killed
a man that didn’t have it coming, and let me tell you, Jimmy Hearns has it
coming.

Most
motorcycle clubs are not street gangs, but in the case of the Seventy Devils,
there was no point in hiding it. The Seventy Devils ran the streets of Oakeley.
The Seventy Devils, the band of lawless savages that did Black Horse’s bidding,
lived on, leaderless and hell bent on anarchy. When the strange circumstances
surrounding Black Horse’s death went public, Jimmy monopolized. Playing the
role of a mourning son, Jimmy earned the respect and the power Texas’ most
violent motorcycle gang. To say the devils are out for blood is an
understatement of epic proportions. The band of sociopathic heathens were
rallied by Black Horse’s death. It was a call to action, a call to arms, each
one of them thirsty to drain the blood from Black Horse’s murderer. Each one
yearning to display his killer’s head on a pike for the whole community to see.
If the Seventy Devils were hostile during Black Horse’s reign, it was nothing
compared to their mental state after Black Horse was found burned, shot and
murdered.

A war has
erupted. The Seventy Devils are scattered and on alert, gnawing at the bit for
the go-ahead to strike. They would not hesitate to spill the blood of anyone
who stood in their way of recompense. They knew they would need to act fast if
they wanted to come out on top. Colt was not the kind of guy that you slept on.
He’d stop at nothing to protect his family and he was lethal whether he was
heavily armed or going toe to toe, bare knuckled beat-down style. Colt did have
Black Horse’s blood coursing through his veins, after all. But then, so did
Jimmy, and he is ready to show everyone that the apple didn’t fall far from the
tree… in fact, they appear to have formed on the same poisoned branch.

As leader
of the Devils, Jimmy had seventy miscreants to do his bidding – and three goals
in which he needed to achieve:

1.Avenge Black Horse

2.Kill Colt McClain and Randy Ford

3.Take Averi for his own

Jimmy has
another thing coming if he thinks victory is easily won. Will Colt and Averi’s
broken road end in tragedy? Or will they be the ones to banish the devils
straight to hell? When the demons of the past rise up, can Colt and Randy face
them fearless and determined? Whatever happens, don’t expect Colt and Randy to
stand alone. Buckle up. The broken road makes for one hell of a ride.

Like this:

Once upon a time Mackenzie Phillips thought she’d found her happily ever after. She had married her high school sweetheart and had started her perfect family. But one tragic night Mac’s perfect life was ripped away from her, leaving her beautiful fairy tale existence in ruins.

When everything worth living for is suddenly taken from you, how do you keep going? People told her how lucky she was just to be alive after that night, but she didn’t agree.

Years passed with Mac living in a fog, until another unfortunate turn of events placed her world on its head once again. Now, still carrying the tender wounds of her past, this widow has to face the realities of life again.

Broken and truly alone, she must find work. In walks her new employer, Dean Johnson, a guy who is just broken enough himself, that she thinks he might actually be able to understand her. But Mac soon discovers that that bond with Dean may instead force her to face demons she isn’t yet ready to deal with.

I glance in, but the box is dark inside all of the tissue paper. My hands retrieve the first item. “Buckeyes!” I exclaim.

“I can see why she’s your best friend.” Dean leans on one elbow, watching me explore the contents one by one.

I reach in, continuing to pull out items—a black hair scarf with cherries, a pair of earrings from one of my favorite local jewelry designers in Cincinnati, Abbi Glines’s newest steamy romance. My cheeks go hot as Dean sees the cover, lifting his eyebrows.

“Well, I think that’s it,” I say, lifting the box, the sound of something shifting inside catching my attention. “Oh, there’s something else.”
I reach in, and as I do, I can feel Dean’s eyes locked on me. I feel something long and cool slip into my hand. Locking my fingers around it, I let the box fall away. Instantly, I see Dean straighten up, a half-cocked grin on his face.

Much to my horror, I look down to see a pink rubber penis-shaped device in my hand. I freeze, but my cheeks are on fire. All I can think about is the different ways I am going to torture Monica before I kill her.

He’s still grinning at me as he gives me a slight nod. He closes the gap between us even more.

“You know, I can help with that,” he offers, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s serious, or perhaps maybe I’m wishing.

“You think I’m that easy?” I hit the ball squarely back to him. I consider licking my lips, but worry that may be over the top. I’m looking directly at him, and damn, he’s incredible.

“A guy can hope.” He pauses, playfully lifting an eyebrow. “Can’t he?”
I grin. In fact, I can’t do anything but grin. He moves closer, and I glance down, realizing I’m still holding the device. My breath hitches, but he still moves closer. He’s facing me, never moving those gorgeous blue eyes away from me. He slides his arm around my waist, and as he presses himself against me, I’m sure I can feel an erection. This surprises me, and my hand releases the dildo, which falls to the floor with a thud.

“What’s wrong? Can’t contain your excitement around me?” he whispers, his breath warm on my neck, just below my ear.
My mouth is watering, my heartbeat quickens, and my head is now spinning. I pull back, the distance giving me a slight bit of clarity. The idea of this kind of pleasure is tempting. The bulge in his jeans tells me he is interested.

In an attempt to casually conceal the pink rubber shaft, I use the toe of my platform sandals to kick it under a nearby chair. Dean cocks a brow, his face shifts, and he laughs softly.

“What?” I shrug innocently.

“Did you just kick a dick under a chair?” He’s still laughing.

“Watch it, or I might make a habit of it.”

“Ouch,” he hisses, then winces, grabbing himself as if he were imagining the attack.

My eyes dart past his shoulder, where Storm is coming up the stairs. She has on her headphones, staring at the face of her phone. I nod my head at Dean, indicating we’re no longer alone. I shift, moving to walk past him. He grabs my hip, pulling me into his grasp.

“We’ll continue this later,” he promises. He takes my hand and leads me past Storm and out of the bus without a word. I wonder if she can tell what had been transpiring from the look on my face.

As we move around the side of the bus, I feel his hand shift to the small of my back. It’s like he knows all the places to touch me to drive me absolutely insane.

Wendy Owens is a writer, born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork she gave her first love, writing, a try. It’s become a passion ever since. Wendy now happily spends her days writing the stories her characters guide her to tell, admitting even she doesn’t always know where that might lead. Her first series, The Guardians, is a YA fantasy series about angel and human hybrids.

Since then she has branched into NA Contemporary Romance and released titles to include Stubborn Love, Only In Dreams, and Do Anything. Her next romance, The Luckiest is scheduled to be released in July 2014.

When she’s not writing, this dog lover can be found spending time with her tech geek husband, their three amazing kids, and two pups. She loves to cook and is a film fanatic.

For more info on Wendy’s young adult fiction visit http://wendy-owens.com/
If you want to follow her on social media you can visit:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyLOwens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens

MY REVIEW

Beautiful love story will make your heart fill up with joy and love!!

This is a beautiful and wonderful story. When a loved one passes away, a piece of us goes with them. This story begins with Mackenzie having lost her family and along with them she lost herself. Since the death of her husband and daughter her life stood still, her feelings froze and her connection to others disappeared. She cocooned into herself. Until, another tragedy forces her to move on, she has no choice. Sometimes, that is the only way we wake up to life and living it. That is what this story is about. It’s about having to get yourself up and live. About letting your feelings rise within and realize, life continues. It’s about second chances. The love story between Dean and Mackenzie unfolds beautifully. Dean is a rock star and Mackenzie goes on tour with the band as their personal Chef. This is her new beginning. Dean is a beautiful man inside and out. He pursues Mackenzie without pressuring her. He moves at her pace, waiting for her to be ready. In her new journey Mackenzie learns to love again. She finds out that others cared about her and were patiently waiting for her to go through her grieving. She learns to be herself, without needing someone else to define her. She learns that moving on doesn’t mean you forget those you lost. My heart ached for Mac and it surged with love for Dean, so loving, sensitive and understanding. This story is a must read. All the characters are beautiful and complement each other. This story is true to life.

Lainie is a thirty year old, full-figured woman entrenched in a love affair with a married man. Although Lainie loves Mason desperately, she vows never to say those three little words while he remains with his wife.

Stayman, an enigma in Lainie’s close-knit group of friends, has been circling her with interest, trying to garner her attention. When circumstances make it clear who’s blocking his way—Mason—Stay goes full-court press in pursuit of Lainie.

Lainie doesn’t see Stay as relationship potential because she is blinded by her love for Mason. However, the more she learns about Stay, the more she comes to realize she never really knew him in the first place.

An unexplainable mystical connection evolves between Lainie and Stay and she has to choose between a man she so hopelessly loves and a man who offers her everything she needs.

I slipped into the jacket and latched the repeating circles onto my wrist. The bottom of the coat stopped just where the broad lines of the dress changed from horizontal to vertical. “What do you think?” I asked Samantha.

“You look stunning,” a deep male voice responded. I turned around and found Stay smiling at me.

“Wow Stay,” Sam said before I could respond. “Looking mighty handsome. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this is a date.”

Stayman looked sharp in his black dress pants, matching coat, and dark-gray dress shirt. I gazed at him but was at a loss for words. We stared at each other for a second.

Sam saved me by saying, “Stay, there’s a wire mannequin in the attic that I’d like brought down, and Lane and I can’t lift it. I wondered if you could do that for us. Not now. I wouldn’t want you to mess up your clothes, but—”

As he removed his coat, he said, “It shouldn’t take long and I’ll just take off my shirt.”He started unbuttoning as both Samantha and I watched as he slowly revealed his chest. Stay slipped out of his shirt and laid it neatly on top of his jacket.

His smooth, lean torso was highly defined and I got caught staring at his chest. He winked at me and then said to Sam, “Come on and show me the way.”

Once they walked away, I glared into the mirror and said, “Don’t even think about it.”

Minutes later, he had managed to carry the mannequin down.

“Let’s put it in the back,” I said, leading the way. “It needs to be cleaned up before it can be out on the floor.” I showed him where to put it. Scanning his physique from his head to his shoes, I noticed that he continued to let his golden-brown hair grow in and chose to where black boots instead of dress shoes. To make matters worse, his five o’clock shadow was incredibly sexy. Damn, he looks hot. Look away girl, just look away!

“Here,” I said, holding out a lint roller, but not making eye contact.

Some dust had settled on the front of his pants just over the zipper area. “You don’t want to help?”

I turned away and said, “Go get dressed.”

“Are you sure that’s your final decision?”

“Very sure.” My rapidly beating heart settled down once his clothing was back on.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

“Let me go grab my clothes bag and my clutch and I will be.” Sam followed me into my office.

“He looks hot!” she exclaimed. “He must really like you. I’ve never seen him dressed up before.”

“Stop it,” I said, making sure my dress lay straight.

“Forget about MM for the night,” she said to me with a serious expression. She pulled the tag off my jacket.

“That’s not possible. Thanks for closing up and helping with the outfit.”

“No problem.

Blakely Bennett grew up in Southeast Florida and has been residing in the great Northwest for over eight years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. She is an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. Writing has always been her bliss. She is attracted to stories of self-struggle and ultimate recovery.

Blakely is married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, also a writer, who helps to keep her grounded. She is a mother, a communitarian, a lover of music (always on while she is writing—thank you, Pandora), and a good friend. An advocate of love and female empowerment, she is a facilitator for a women’s group. She loves to walk and hike for exercise and finds that, since moving to Seattle, WA, she is now one of those “crazy” people who walk in the rain.

Bittersweet Deceit (erotic romance) is her 6th novel. She is also the author of the dark erotic suspense, My Body Trilogy (My Body-His, My Body-His (Marcello) & My Body-Mine) and co-authored the contemporary romance, The Demarcation of Jack with her husband, Dana Bennett.

Jacqs is a twenty-eight year old woman caught up in an on again, off again relationship with Bond, who is her best friend and the one who causes her the most heartache. She succumbs, yet again, to his powerful charisma, but vows not make it into more than it is, a great night of sex.

Bond, too sexy for his own good, wants Jacqs for himself as he “dates” his way through the female population of South Florida. He selfishly doesn’t see the conflict of interest.

Red, Bond’s best friend, has watched Bond take Jacqs for granted for way too long and soon stakes his own claim on her.

Will Red and Jacqs budding relationship pull apart their tight-knit group of friends and will Jacqs survive being Stuck In Between.

Finding My Prince Charming Series by J.S. Cooper

Delirious Series by Clarissa Wild

Seek - Prequel

Snare - Book 1

Seize - Book 2

Don’t Close Your Eyes (Bryant Brothers Book 1) by Hillary Storm

My life ended the day I answered the door and found out James had died. Writing has become my only release and secluding myself from the people who constantly judge me for my way of grieving has made me famous. I'm not ready to love again, in fact it's not even a thought.

Someone needs to tell that to Liam. He's breaking through all of the walls I've worked so hard to create. How can one man be so intriguing? He just gets me, maybe a little too well.